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Comments
Placed a check in the mail today for the Zaino products. I'm going to use the ZFX instead of Z1, to save time. I hope you Zaino-holics are right. I'll post the results after completion.
"fastdriver--the plan was to keep the 300M and have the 540i as a "project car"."
LOL... I assumed that, but I figured the other one MIGHT get jealous and start acting up anyway. ;-))
WOW! 40,000 miles already! I only have 12,300+ since 3/28/01. You're right- I love this "red rocket". I did see pics of that new Grand Prix. Looks nice. Interior looks better than the current ones. Also, saw it in RED! Mmmm.....could use my GM credit card points for that car next time. My brother sells those now too, in addition to Chevy and Buick. Didn't know about 280HP!! Whoa! Glad you car is treating you well, but it has "divine" protection! ;-)) Your uncle must be smiling. Ever hear of John Edward- Crossing Over TV Show? You should try and get tickets.
I go to the touchless washes also in the winter. No choice. Also, no problems. I do love those unexpected 50 degree days too. We have only had 1 snowstorm of 4 inches all winter! That's it. Days are getting longer again too. I have not put on any Zaino since Nov. 18th according to my calendar. Car still looks great and feels smooth.
spartanman2-
You will NOT be disappointed IF you follow the directions from Sal's site. Click on my name above and you'll see a Zaino shine on the 300M and the current car. I have more pics, but they were in photopoint.com that disappeared into cyberspace. I know I have the pics saved on one of these ZIP disks. Some day when I have the time, I'll post them again.
fastdriver
Gotta 55 degree day today. Time for a Z7 and Z2.
BTW- Got my 1st order of Z, but the weather and my schedule have prevented me from getting started. I tried to talk my "better half" into helping with the process (Dawn,clay,Z7,Z1,Z5 etc.), but she claimed it was ME, not the car, who needed a multi-step process.... for my "obsessive-compulsive" car care disorder.
- -She wants me in "Zainoholics Anonymous" before my first application!
Jon
Go to http://www.pontiac.com. Then go to Grand Prix and scroll down. Somewhere on the right, there is a link to the G force model.
Addiction- mmm...just stand up and say- Hi, my name is Jona and I'm a Zainoholic. After that it gets better! Tell your wife that it could be worse. You could be addicted to something stronger than ZAINO! ;-))
fastdriver
I'm trying to sell the wife on the durability advantage of Zaino. Since she's a doubting Thomas, I'll have to tell you next year if that worked or not! Actually, all Z has to do is last more than the 3-4 months shine of my previous "best" wax/polish (2 coats of Meguiar's Medallion- which I can't seem to find any more anyway).
Jon
My son just bought a '94 Saturn (purple). It runs like a champ. Unfortunately, the original owners parked it under a tree. Tree sap, leaf marks, scratches abound. Although, none of this has penetrated all the way through to the primer, it needs some serious "TLC".
Since he doesn't have the money for a new paint job, I'm going to have to use some serious abrasive compound to get the stains and scratches out. I certainly can't have him parking it next to my "Zaino'd" 300M....lol. The good news is that this car has plastic body panels so I don't have to worry about rust.
Suggestions?
I seem to remember that there is some polishing compound designed for removing this type of paint - anyone know what it is?
Thanks.
Start with clay. That's what the paint shop guys use to remove overspray. If that doesn't work, try the next finest/lightest compound. This would be a swirl remover, such as Meguiar's #9 or 3M's Swirlmark Remover. Just remember to READ the instructions. For instance - the 3M product comes in different colors (so you wouldn't get white specks in a dark car paint).
Always start with the least strongest compound and go up. It's more work (and money) but could save a repaint if you start off too strong - and go clean through the paint, to the primer!
Usual disclaimers... =;-)
Go to Wal-Mart and look in the kitchen cleaning aisle for a "Power Puff DEEP CLEAN" made by ABC Development Co in case you dont live near a Wal-Mart.
It is a 12" plastic handle with a cylinder-shaped foam sponge at the end, with a layer of blue "scrubbing" surface on the end. It is kind of narrow....small enough to stick inside the wheel crevices and openings to get out all that black brake dust from the inside of the wheel. I used it today on my stock '01 Camaro rims and also on our '00 Alero alloy rims. You just dip it in the bucket full of your favorite car wash solution get it all soapy, then stick it in the wheel, scrub a little, then hose it all out. The wheels now look as if I had taken them off the car and hand-cleaned the backside. And the brake dust just hoses off the sponge. Of course I still use a flat sponge to wash the face of the wheel but this can get deep inside. You can also use it under the hood to clean in between parts. I love it! It's only $1.96
Take a shot glass and measure it out. Then pour it into a plastic squeeze bottle and mark the side of the bottle with a magic marker at the 1 ounce level. Sounds doable?
fastdriver
At one time, I thought that Z6 was some sort of gimmick that would have been a waste of money. Boy, was I wrong. If anything, it's one of the best products Zaino makes. It seems to do good things, even on my white car.
That said, I question whether your use of the Wal-Mart product might be tough on any Z-2 you have on your wheels if, in fact, you actually use it on the wheels themselves. Perhaps a better solution to getting dirt and brake dust off easily is to apply about 22 coats of Z-2 on them (using the required Z-1 every 10 applications of Z-2).
I did just that to my new rims before I had the wheels/tires placed on my car. Now, I merely use a different cloth and the Z-7 wash left in my bucket to do the wheels after I wash everything else on the car. Presto!!!! Dirt and brake dust seem to slide off instantly, with no rubbing. Also, I apply Z-2 to the wheels each time I apply it to the car itself.
Now my question: what do I do with my 4 bottles of meguire's quick detailer? Can it be used over zaino and not upset this delicate chemical miracle it took me all day to create?
I did use a clean sprayer off the QD for my z6. Worked great.
Also, my Springfield, MO water is hard making my proper towels not the softest. I put a little water mist on them to soften them up a bit. Any suggestions?
Leftovers - I just started donating my leftover Meguiar's, et al, to others that I knew would never try to understand the Zaino System. kcwolfpack - There is simply No Reason to put the other products on your car, anywhere! The Z will protect better, stay cleaner, look better and last longer, so why bother? Just give it away!
Oh yea! Bet that black beauty shines like no tomorrow!! The darker the better!
automophile-
Glad you got the paint off. Dent removal next on the list! Weather here in FL is great! Wish I had the Acura with me so that I could Z it! Driving a KIA RIO!!! LOL.... Let me tell you, they can make fun of these cars, but this little car is great! NO wind noise or road noise like Christine had the one time I took here to FL. There is a section of Lake Worth Road that made Christine really roar! Maybe Chrysler should buy a few Rio's and see how they do it! I can even turn the stereo up high and NO door rattles like Christine! LOL.... They'd never believe it if I posted this in the 300M group. For sure they would think it's sour grapes, but it's my observations!
IF I get to Lauderdale, I'll call you to do the camera thing! Have to look for that URL to let everyone know what it is for the Elbo Room.
Keep Z'ing!
fastdriver
I think my dark green volvo paint is starting to slightly fade. The car is outside all the time. Saw for the first time today that the volvo manual recommends polymers. You learn something new...
I want carnuba over Z2 for that warm look.
Any Zainoists topping with carnuba for a year
or longer?
Any pros or cons?
TY
RD
Overall, no doubt Z is the best in durability but as to how to apply it over what (Dawn wash etc.) not sure that holds water!!!!
to Zaino but I want some UV protection
which carnuba does not have.
Just want to know if someone is topping
with carnuba for a long time with no ill
effects. Don't want to be converted.
TY
rd
RD - Most Zaino users I know like the "candy-coated" high gloss and the slickness of Z. A carnauba topper kinda takes away from that when used over Z. So it ends up counterproductive in a way.
I use a carnauba topper over a different polymer sealant (Blackfire) and it looks and works fantastic. I know people who use carnauba over Klasse and they love it. So it is done but not with Zaino. Hope this helps.
If you like the look of wax better than you are probably better off using an abrasive polish and topping with the wax products you like.
Yes, sounds right. That should be enough drops to treat approximately 16 ounces of a Zaino polish.
The ZFX vial comes about 1/w full but its the right amount. The stuff goes a long way. As a newbie to Zaino, I bought a bunch of product for my brand new 2001 Honda Prelude. Phoned Zaino, who recommended ZFX over Z1.
My first ever Z experience commenced with accellerated Z2. I mixed 2 oz. Kind of overkill, as I used only 1 ounce with the H2O/Z6 moistened cotton pad as per Sal's webpage instructions. Hated throwing that extra accellerated 1 oz away, but it won't keep so no worry.
So just follow the instructions, and the results will blow you away.
Whatever product you go with you should really work it into the tire and after letting it sit for awhile buff off any excess to prevent it from slinging off the tires.
My conclusion is that a well "Z"ed car is so slick that glancing blows slide rather than dig. A bonus is that often the mark is so superficial only the Z coat is affected and Z 6 takes out the scuff
A truly remarkable product. I have used them all over the past 45 years, from "One Grand" to Zymol, and "Zaino" is by far the very best.
Hmm. Maybe with a few more coats of Z I could just sort of squeeze those cones without them falling over.
products and decided not to because the product
did not have a lengthly shakedown period and
was a little concerned on a new car.
Stayed with Blitz[1933] and Collinite[1912]
Well Bret, you coaxed me into giving it a whirl.
Plus I think it's been shaken down pretty good by
now. The maintenance and operations protocol
for Zaino is very different from the carnuba
protocol and took a little homework.
Well, tuesday I did a :
dawn, Z5/FXed, Z6, Z2/FXed, Z6
Wednesday, did a Z7 wash and Z6. Have a few questions maybe you ZEE veterans can help me with.
Product Removal :
What is everyone removing Z product with,
a Fieldcrest/Cannon terry or a MicroFiber?
Drying and Z6 application :
I did my first Z7 wash yesterday and found
that the water droplets dry quicker on a Z car
than a carnuba car.[why, i don't know, just my observation]
Also, drying with a Fieldcrest I was getting the microstreaks. So instead of using a terry for the Z6 topping I used a MF with great success. No microsteaks. I am going to try my OG Watersprite for 95% water removal and MF for rest.
What are Zainists using for Drying and Z6 application? Field/Can, MF's, or something else.
TY
RD
I use the hose with no nozel first, which causes most of the water to just fall off the car. then I use the Calif water blade to swipe off about 75% of the rest (my car has no slab sides, so this is not as effective as it would be on, say, an Explorer or a larger sedan). Then I use a cotton bath towel for the rest. All of this takes about 5 to 10 minutes at most, and one bath towel is more than enough. (If you skip the blade, it might take the whole towel or two, depending on the size of your car.)
I think you see the water dry quicker on the Z than on wax because the Z is harder and more slick that the wax, which is softer.
As for removing the product, I use the towels as suggested by Sal, and it's my impression that about 98% of posters here do the same. It's quick, safe, easy, proven and I think the towels are cheaper than the mf.
You will like the Z a lot better than the wax. Better result, longer lasting, and much less work. What's not to like?
I got the appearence of my car to where I wanted
it but it took a cocktail of carnubas and it has
become a part time job. With free time becoming
less and less abundant in todays world Zaino seems
like an intellegent way to maintain an enthusiasts
shine with much less upkeep.
From your recommendations I will likely stay with
the F/C terries for Z removal and will try my OG watersprite the same way you use your waterblade
[to wisk most standing water off surface]and then
finish with a Z6 and a microfiber.
I hear some are diluting Z6 with 50% distilled water for QDing purposes to save some $$$.
[full strength between Zlayers though]
Is this practice OK?
TYVM
RD
I don't dilute my beer, either, although that would make it go further.
Most tire dressings contain silicone. Hence, the stains. What's more expensive- having the bumper repainted from the silicone dressings or using Zaino which contains NO silicone? BTW- some dressings have a warning on the label in about .005 type that warns about "slinging".
Stick with the Zaino. If you can afford the GS430, you could certainly afford the Zaino dressing. ;-))
fastdriver
Also, what should I start with?
I don't think there are ANY places on line to buy Zaino except http://www.zainobros.com
Sal does have distributors in the US, but you'll have to e-mail him or call him to find out if there are any in your area.
fastdriver
In the past, I used Z1, Z2, & Z6 (in that order).
And during the course of a few months I'd apply coats of Z2.
Now with ZFX available, do I/can I substitute Z1 & Z2 with ZFX; therefore my regime would now be ZFX & Z6, ZFX & Z6,...and so on. Also, does ZFX need to 'sit' for a couple hours before removal?
Once you have a good base of Z1 and a few coats of Z2 and/or Z5, you do not need to start all over again. That's the whole point. If you van is garaged, you should never have to use the dawn (that only takes off the wax anyway, it will not remove the zaino, which you don't want to do anyway.
From what I understand, at maybe 6 month intervals, add a few more coats of z2 or z5. The new ZFX will allow you to do these multiple coats in one day. See the zainobros.com page for details. Every year or so you can use z1 if you want to, but if you use the ZFX, you can skip the Z1 as it's in the ZFX.
If you clay the bottom of the sides of the van, I would follow that up with a coat of Z1, unless you use the ZFX.
To sum it up, if it's been about 6 months and you have some stuff on the rocker panels that you want to clay off, I would wash well with z7, use the clay where necessary (using z7 with water as a lubricant), then mix up a batch of ZFX with Z2 and put on 2 coats. You can do all this in one afternoon, and still go out for dinner.
Have a good time.